A Journey of Fear and Hope

Godfrey Alumay Moini is a 28 year old LWF-trained pump mechanic living in Boroli Refugee settlement in Adjumani District, Uganda. However, life has not always been simple for Godfrey.

 As a matter of fact Godfrey was separated from his family in December 2013, when war broke out in his native South Sudan. He was at the time working as a construction worker in Pachala, South Sudan, while his family was in Juba, the capital.

Unfortunately, because of the ongoing conflict and constant gunfire, he was not able to leave Pachala for Juba until one week later, when the firing had stopped. As soon as Godfrey made it to Juba, he instantly went searching for his family, only to find a raided and empty home. Godfrey feared the worst for his loved ones. He collected his spirits and headed for Elegu by military convoy designated for people leaving the conflict site. Godfrey arrived to Elegu, on the Ugandan border on December 28th. On the same day he was welcomed to Dzaipi reception center by UNHCR. Still restless, he immediately found his way to Nyumanzi Refugee settlement’s reception point to find out if his wife and three children had, by any blessed chance, made it there. He was fortunate to find out that they had been received just a few days before him. However, since they were not identified as a unit upon arrival, Godfrey was placed in a different settlement from his wife and children.

Today, Godfrey is collecting his monthly share of soap from the LWF distribution team. Godfrey claims that in addition to this soap, he has also received: Saucepans, plastic sheets, plastic cups, plastic basins, nylon ropes, jerry cans, plastic plates, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and blankets, a hoe, a sickle, a slasher, and a panger. In addition, he has mentioned receiving a variety of seeds namely for ocra, onion, cabbage, tomatoes, eggplant, cassava stock, and sweet potato vines. Godfrey says that this has allowed him a livelihood. When asked what he would do if LWF was not able to intervene he shared that:

“Life would not be easy, and the future would be unpredictable. LWF has allowed me to grow roots within this area and has given me the tools to succeed as an independent individual.”

When asked about the future, Godfrey sounds optimistic, he is intending to reunite with his wife and family, and maybe one day, if South Sudan is peaceful again, he can return and live a new life with his family.

For now, he is content with using the skills that LWF has armed him with, and being an example in his new community.